Norm Pattis, new to Crime & Federalism, thinks U.S. District Judge Robert Chatigny has overstepped his bounds by accusing the attorney for convicted serial killer Michael Ross of "not adequately investigating claims that Ross was mentally incompetent to make the decision to die" (story here). Ross was scheduled to die by lethal injection Monday, but it appears that the execution may be delayed now in order to hold a mental competence hearing.

"No one is questioning whether this judge is abusing his discretion by playing philosopher-king. Blinded by opposition to the death penalty, there is praise for this judge on many lips. Those same lips will cry foul when this judge oversteps his bounds in some more mundane case."